Clamp assembly for mounting a boat canopy

ABSTRACT

This invention is an apparatus designed to secure members of one frame work to members of another framework most commonly found when trying to secure a boat canopy to a boat tower. The clamping apparatus is fully adjustable to allow for the many different configurations of towers and canopies.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to securing various types of frame components to one another, most commonly found when securing a framework of a boat canopy, to a boat tower.

In order to create a shelter on a boat, most consumers purchase a bimini top and mounted it to the gunwales of the boat. U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,139 to King 1996 shows a typical bimini top used for ski boats. A bimini top is a form of a sun shade with 2 to 4 inverted U-shaped bows held together with hinges to create a collapsible frame work that supports material for shelter.

In the past most ski ropes have been attached to the transom of the boat or to a ski pylon located in the center of the boat. The rope has been generally located about one to two feet above the water surface. With the popularity of wake boarding and the desire to enhance water sports performance, boat manufactures now mount a metal framework called a tower to the gunwales of the boat that extends upwards to create a mounting point for the rope relatively centered over the boat about six to eight feet above the water surface, thus enhancing an upward pull for the performer. U.S. patent Des. 409,972 to Todd 1999 shows atypical tower used for towing water sports activities. The framework of a typical tower consequently interferes with the framework of a traditional bimini top thus rendering it useless.

Patent application Ser. No. 11/037768 to Jones Jan. 19, 2005 shows an alternate method for securing an improved type of sunshades directly to boat towers.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present inventions, a boat canopy consists of a collapsible or non collapsible framework mounted by means of fastening with screws, bolts or pins to a boat or a boat tower.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, the advantages of the Folding Canopy Top (FCT) Clamp are, the FCT Clamps provide an overall stronger union between members of the framework. It provides for ease and speed of set up and take down of the FCT (boat canopy) on or off the water. The structural integrity of the tower and FCT frame is not compromised by need for drilling holes for fasteners through the framework. It makes the installation of the FCT easier. It makes the FCT possible for the professionals and consumer to install. It allows for fine tuning and minor adjustments during and after instillation. The heavy duty clamps designed for the application do not wear out with boat vibration. Heavy duty adjustable clamps provide adequate strength when filling the gap between members of the framework. Clamps allow for removal of the top with out permanent structural damage to the tower. The clamps allow for easy opporation when deploying/collapsing the FCT. Overall structural appearance of the top is improved. Further objects and advantages are to provide a top that is inexpensive, streamline, quiet, and is easily removed for maintenance or repairs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows clamps holding a FCT on a tower with relationship to a boat.

FIG. 2 round clamp and plate assembly

FIG. 3 mounting plate side view

FIG. 4 round clamp side view

FIG. 5 round clamp top view

FIG. 6 round clamp bottom view

FIG. 7 round clamp and plate assembly rotational adjustment

FIG. 8 round clamp and plate exploded view

FIG. 9 plate alternate method side view

FIG. 10 fork clamp side view

FIG. 11 fork clamp top view

FIG. 12 fork clamp end view

FIG. 13 fork clamp exploded view

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

-   10 boat -   12 tower -   14 FCT (folding canopy top) -   16 A-D round clamp assembly -   18 A-B fork clamp assembly -   20 A-B mounting plate -   22 FCT framework -   24 A-T mounting plate fastening holes -   26 round clamp fastening hole -   28 round clamp fastening base -   30 A-B fastening hole -   32 A-C fastening devices -   34 A-B fastening hole -   36 lanyard -   38 fastening pin -   40 fastening slot -   42 fastening device -   44 A-B fastening bolts -   46 fastening hole -   48 FCT support

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed, the framework of a typical boat tower interferes with the framework of a traditional bimini top thus rendering the two incompatible. The present invention solves this problem by creating a FCT (Folding Canopy Top). This top is specifically designed to fit over the boat tower. One way to fasten the FCT to the tower is drilling holes through the frame of the tower and the top and then using bolts and removable pins to hold the top in place. This approach has several disadvantages. The structural integrity of the tower and FCT frame is severely compromised by drilling holes through the framework. It is also difficult for consumers and professionals to install. It is difficult to drill and align holes so the top functions and fits properly. There is no adjustment once the holes have been drilled. The thin wall tubing allows the holes wear down from the vibration of the boat and pins can eventually fall out. The bolting method does not have the ability to provide proper structural strength when filling the gap between the two frameworks. It is impossible to remove the FCT from the tower with out permanent holes/damage to the tower. The overall appearance of the craftsmanship looks substandard.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a boat 10 with a tower 12. It shows a boat canopy 14 otherwise known as a FCT being secured to the boat tower 12 with round clamps 16 A-D, fork clamps 18 A-B and mounting plates 20 A-B.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of round clamps 16 and mounting plate 20 securing the FCT framework 22 to the tower framework 12.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the mounting plate 20 with the mounting holes 24 arranged in a manner to allow various mounting positions.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the round clamp assembly 16 with plate mounting hole 26, plate mounting base 28 and clamp mounting holes 30 A-B

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the round clamp assembly 16 with plate mounting hole 26 and plate mounting base 28

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the round clamp assembly 16 with clamp mounting holes 30 A-B

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the mounting plate 20 with the various positions and rotational adjustment of round clamp assemblies 16.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded view of the mounting plate 20 and the round clamp assembly 16 secured with fastening devise 32 C fastened to round clamp assembly 16 through fastening hole 26 and the second half of the round clamp 16 fastened to the first half with fastening bolts 32 A-B secured in to fastening holes 30 A-B.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the mounting plate 20 with alternate positions of mounting holes 24.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the fork clamp assembly 18 with mounting slot 40 fastening device 38 secured to the clamp with lanyard 36 secured to the clamp by fastening device 42 the fastening device 38 fits through fastening hole 46 one half of the fork clamp is secured to the other half thorough fastening holes 34 A-B.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of the fork clamp assembly 18 with fastening holes 34 A-B with the fastening hole 46 the lanyard tab is fastened to the clamp with fastening bolt 42.

FIG. 12 illustrates a end view of the fork clamp assembly 18 with mounting slot 40 and fastening hole 46.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded view of the fork clamp assembly 18 with fastening bolts 44 A-B fastening bolt 42 lanyard 36 fastening pin 38 and mounting slot 40 secured to FCT support 

1-6. (canceled)
 7. An apparatus for securing a framework of a boat canopy to a boat tower, the apparatus comprising: a mounting plate, said mounting plate having at a plurality of holes therein; a first clamp coupled to the mounting plate; a second clamp; wherein the second clamp is mountable in any one of the plurality of holes such that an alignment between the first clamp and the second clamp is variable.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a third and a fourth clamp.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the mounting plate is substantially triangular in shape.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the mounting plate comprises at least sixteen holes, wherein the second clamp is selectively mountable in any one of the at least sixteen holes.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the at least sixteen holes comprise a row of holes extending approximately from a front portion of the mounting plate to a rear portion of the mounting plate.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the mounting plate is substantially triangular in shape.
 13. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein at least one of the first and second clamps is removably coupled to the mounting plate.
 14. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein at least one of the first and second clamps is rotatably coupled to the mounting plate.
 15. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein at least one of the first and second clamps is movably positionable on the mounting plate.
 16. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein at least one of the clamps is comprised of two semi-circular pieces.
 17. An apparatus for providing cover to occupants of a boat, the apparatus comprising: a boat canopy having a framework; a boat tower; a mounting plate for mounting the framework of the boat canopy to the boat tower; a first clamp coupled to the mounting plate, the first clamp engaging the boat tower; and a second clamp, the second clamp engaging the boat tower; wherein the second clamp is mountable to the mounting plate at any one of multiple locations such that an alignment between the first clamp and the second clamp is variable to thereby accommodate the boat tower.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising third and fourth clamps, the third and forth clamps operable to secure the framework of the boat canopy to the mounting plate.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the mounting plate is substantially triangular in shape.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the mounting plate comprises a top edge, a leading edge and a bottom edge.
 21. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the multiple locations comprise holes in the mounting plate.
 22. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising at least sixteen locations for selectively mounting the second clamp.
 23. An apparatus for securing a framework of a boat canopy to boat towers of varying design, said apparatus comprising: a mounting plate, the mounting plate having a top edge, a side edge and a bottom edge; a plurality of holes in the mounting plate; a first hole in the mounting plate; a first clamp, the first clamp having an inner surface and an outer surface; a second clamp, the second clamp having an inner surface and an outer surface; a first fastener for rotatably mounting the first clamp to the mounting plate at the first hole; and a second fastener for rotatably mounting the second clamp to the mounting plate at any one of the plurality of holes such that an alignment between the first clamp and the second clamp is variable.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising: a second hole in the mounting plate; a third hole in the mounting plate; third and fourth clamps; and a pair of fasteners for mounting the third and the forth clamps to the mounting plate at the second and third holes, respectively.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the first hole is disposed proximate a junction of the side edge and the bottom edge; the second hole is disposed proximate a junction of the side edge and the top edge; and the third hole is disposed proximate a junction of the top edge and the bottom edge.
 26. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the first and second clamps each comprise two semi-circular pieces coupled together via a pair of fasteners; the first and second clamps each further comprising a flat mounting base for engaging the mounting plate. 